Shotgun zone repeal: What Redwood County deer hunters need to check

Redwood County deer hunters should check the rules for their exact hunting location as Minnesota's firearms deer season opens Saturday, November 7. The state's former shotgun-only zone has been repealed for 2026, but counties can adopt local restrictions.

WHAT THIS MEANS IN REDWOOD COUNTY
The Minnesota DNR's county ordinance list, checked November 7, does not list Redwood County among counties that have notified the state of shotgun-only restrictions. Under the statewide change, legal rifles, shotguns and handguns may be used where firearms deer hunting is allowed, subject to any applicable local restrictions. The DNR advises confirming the latest rules with the county where you plan to hunt.

County records show Redwood County held a public hearing on the repeal November 17, 2025. Residents presented two petitions supporting the state change, and the board took no action at that hearing.

CROSSING A COUNTY LINE CAN CHANGE THE RULES
Neighboring Brown and Cottonwood counties are listed by the DNR as shotgun-only. Hunters moving between Redwood County and those counties should check the rules before hunting. City ordinances and individual hunting-area restrictions may also apply; the statewide repeal does not open closed land to hunting or replace landowner permission requirements.

OPENING-WEEKEND REMINDER
The DNR says mandatory chronic wasting disease sampling applies in southwest Minnesota's designated surveillance block November 7-8. Check your deer permit area and sampling requirements through the DNR before heading out. Season dates and bag limits depend on the permit area.

Read the DNR's county shotgun-ordinance list and current deer hunting information for the latest guidance.